Application Guide

How to Apply for Special Assistant to Fellow and Team Lead- Climate Resilience

at Council on Energy, Environment and Water

🏢 About Council on Energy, Environment and Water

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is India's leading climate and energy think tank, known for its rigorous, data-driven research that directly informs national and international policy. Working at CEEW offers the unique opportunity to contribute to evidence-based climate solutions in one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions, with direct access to government and industry stakeholders.

About This Role

This role serves as the right hand to a Fellow and Team Lead, supporting high-impact research on climate resilience across adaptation finance, urban resilience, and nature-based solutions. You'll translate complex research into actionable policy memos and presentations while helping secure funding and build partnerships across public, private, and civil society sectors.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your morning might involve analyzing new data on urban heat vulnerability for an upcoming presentation to municipal officials, followed by drafting a concept note for a nature-based solutions project. In the afternoon, you could join a meeting with potential funders, then prepare a research memo summarizing key findings from recent climate negotiations for the Fellow's review.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Council on Energy, Environment and Water Is Looking For

  • Holds a Master's in public policy, climate change, or development with demonstrated coursework or projects in environmental sustainability
  • Has 2-4 years of hands-on experience conducting both primary (surveys, interviews) and secondary (literature reviews, data analysis) research, preferably in climate adaptation or development sectors
  • Can showcase specific examples of translating research into policy documents like concept notes, Terms of Reference, or stakeholder presentations
  • Demonstrates active professional networks or engagement with climate-focused organizations in India's public, private, or NGO sectors

📝 Tips for Applying to Council on Energy, Environment and Water

1

Quantify your research experience: Instead of 'conducted research,' specify 'designed and executed 15 stakeholder interviews on urban heat adaptation' or 'analyzed 50+ policy documents on adaptation finance'

2

Highlight any exposure to CEEW's focus areas: Mention specific projects or coursework related to India's climate resilience, urban adaptation, or nature-based solutions

3

Show fundraising awareness: Even if indirect, describe experience with donor mapping, proposal writing, or budget development for climate projects

4

Tailor your resume to CEEW's policy language: Use terms like 'stakeholder engagement,' 'evidence-based policy,' and 'multisectoral collaboration' that appear in their publications

5

Include a writing sample: Since research writing is core, attach a policy brief, literature review, or concept note you've authored (redacted if confidential)

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific research methodology experience with primary/secondary research on climate topics', 'Examples of translating technical research into actionable outputs for decision-makers (memos, presentations, concept notes)', "Why you're drawn to CEEW's particular approach to evidence-based policy in the Indian context", 'How your networks or sector experience could support partnership building for the team']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read at least 3 recent CEEW reports on climate adaptation/resilience (check their 'Publications' page) and note their methodology
  • → Understand CEEW's key government partnerships (NITI Aayog, MoEFCC) and private sector collaborations mentioned in their annual reports
  • → Research the Fellow/Team Lead you'd assist (if named) - their publications, speaking engagements, and research focus areas
  • → Review India's national climate policies (NAPCC, State Action Plans) to understand the policy landscape CEEW operates within

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a climate adaptation research project you led or contributed to, including your specific role in primary/secondary research
2 How would you approach developing a concept note for a nature-based solutions project in an Indian coastal city?
3 What recent CEEW publication on climate resilience resonated with you, and why?
4 How would you map potential funders for a research programme on macroeconomic impacts of climate change in India?
5 Describe a time you had to present complex climate data to non-expert stakeholders (government/industry)
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic climate passion statements without specific examples of research or policy work
  • Focusing only on climate mitigation (renewables, emissions) without addressing adaptation/resilience expertise
  • Submitting a standard think tank application without demonstrating knowledge of CEEW's India-specific focus and policy influence

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

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Good luck with your application to Council on Energy, Environment and Water!

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